A Perfect Fall Weekend

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on October 4, 2014

Yesterday was just a very satisfying day of baseball, don’t you think?

After becoming the first pitcher in the history of baseball to give up 7 or more runs in consecutive post season appearances, my buddy said to me, “He’s becoming the ‘Peyton Manning’ of baseball.” I said, “Not so fast, he still hasn’t won anything yet. At least Peyton has one ring.”

Today’s game is important but not critical. I expect the Nats to be playing with an even tighter grip today, knowing they don’t want to go down 0-2 and have to fly across the country to face Big Country in an elimination game….

What a fantastic weekend of Bay Area sports we have to look forward to. The Cardinal play one of my all time hated college teams today (2nd only to USC), Cal travels to WAZU to a loss (try to keep the opposition under 3 digits Cal defense), obviously we have the Giants game, and tomorrow Alex Smith and Loo’s Chiefs come in to take on my Niners. Throw in a full day of fanduel.com tomorrow and it’s quite likely I’ll need a new couch on Monday……

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sportdude said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:49 am

Two trips strikes again. Even as great as Kershaw is…any other manager let a starter give up that many hits in the 7th? 5 hits BEFORE the bases clearing double. Love it. Wonder how his bullpen feels?
OC register story outlines how 1st thing Mattingly discussed post game is his willingness to use closer Jepsen for 4 out saves, “maybe more outs if needed”. No faith in Wilson et al….
- Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:56 am
  
  it just shows you that he’s a stooge. Kershaw makes the decisions, not 2-Trips.
Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:56 am

Tim Kawakami ‏@timkawakami 24m24 minutes ago
Opponent runs during SFGs’ 9-game playoff winning streak: 0, 1, 0, 3, 0, 0, 3, 0, 2. Total: 9 runs. /Opponent runs vs. LADs last night: 10.
- pawliekokonuts said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:17 am
  
  that is purely amazing
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 9:00 am

I was thinking more like Kershaw = Dan Marino.

Unlike some of you guys I don’t really watch baseball outside of the Giants. Seeing these other teams play these last couple of days makes me appreciate Bochy that much more. I may not always agree with his moves but he doesn’t leave his pitchers out to dry out there. When I see these boneheaded moves from other managers it makes me think he’s the X factor more than anything else.

I’m excited for today’s game. Hopefully Hudson can keep it rolling. There’s still a long way to go and it’s not good to look ahead but the Royals have that look man. I wouldn’t want to run into them in this post season.
- wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 9:58 am
  
  If you’re saying the Royals make it to the WS…I hope we do run into them.
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:19 am
    
    Yes, I would hope that the Giants make the ws too. I mean really man? Ya think?
Nipper said, on October 4, 2014 at 9:29 am

Yeah “there’s still a long way to go!” Posey kept it in perspective, “it’s one game.”
- unca_chuck said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:01 am
  
  You threw this team under the bus 4 days ago, Nippy.
- eddacker said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:03 am
  
  the silent majority takes it ‘one game at a time’
  
  WOOT! (but sometimes we can’t help it)
  
  🙂
stickman said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:00 am

Yesterday was one of those rare playoff occasions where every team i favored happened to win. Today, i’m merely hoping my #1 team pulls off another one, so that down by two, the Nats get to face the Undertaker on Monday.
eddacker said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:01 am

Estatic to see my team this deep into the post season with all they had against them. This season has been the opposite of what the Oaklanders’ season has been. Seemingly unbeatable with a GM pulling big moves -v- seemingly impotent gmen on the field with typical no-name moves by the GM.

Playoffs Baby!
Go Gigantes!
Alleykat said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:11 am

Nobody handles a pitching staff in baseball better then “Our Man Bruce”That’s about the only thing baseball analyst agree on about this team.
He is thinking 2-3 innings ahead at times with match ups, lefties vs lefties,righties vs righties,lefties vs righties,righties vs lefties, what guy will be coming up to PH and does my guy do well against him in the past ?or do I go against the odds and play a hunch.Either way “Our man
Bruce”always outmanages any other manager by far. The post seasons past and present have proved all that as he put the likes of Atlanta’s Bobby Cox in his house,into retirement,as he out managed him, same with both total “Beatdowns” of both Ron Washington & Jim Leyland in W/S Blowouts!!!
“BOCHTOBER BASEBALL” Feel the Power and execution of a team ready to Rock another W/S ring, and Bochy will wear this one on his fat middle finger displaying it to the usual media skeptics who always diss the Giants!!
pawliekokonuts said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:19 am

October 3 is a day utterly rich in history for the Giants, and it just keeps getting richer. Happy Feast of St. Francis, all. A model for our times. Wiki that dude’s bio.
pawliekokonuts said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:21 am

A high school friend in DC just emailed me this quote from the Wash Post’s Thomas Boswell, on the Giants: “They never forget to take out the trash. With you in it.”
- snarkk said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:25 am
  
  I saw that last night on the online Post. Great line…
  - pawliekokonuts said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:30 am
    
    do I have it right? I tweeted it using Boswell’s Twitter handle. He’s terrific.
gianthead said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:32 am

The best thing about the Stanford game Flav is that Kevin Hogan’s dad is the biggest Notre Dame fame you have ever met…I wonder where he will be sitting today.

After yesterday, my 20-1 bet I laid on Thursday for a Giants – Orioles World Series for $50 is looking pretty sweet right now.

If you all recall, I hit the Giants – Tigers at 16-1 odds two years ago…
- pawliekokonuts said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:35 am
  
  may it be so, Black & Orange all around
pawliekokonuts said, on October 4, 2014 at 10:34 am

some rain here; feeling for my farmer friends, Zumiee et al. out there: http://thelaughorist.blogspot.com/2014/10/let-rain-come.html
- zumiee said, on October 4, 2014 at 11:40 am
  
  What is this thing called “rain” of which you speak? Is it something mythical, like unicorns, and the Loch Ness monster? 🙂
- zumiee said, on October 4, 2014 at 11:45 am
  
  Thanks for the beautiful and empathetic thoughts at your blog. When rain does finally return to the Central Valley, it’s going to be a transcendent moment, like Scutaro at the end of the ’12 series against the Cardinals. Millions of Californians holding our hands outstretched to the sky, and feeling the joy of the water pouring down upon us.
  I may be exaggerating, but not by much.
twinfan1 said, on October 4, 2014 at 12:14 pm

Same and why not?

1. Gregor Blanco (L) CF

2. Joe Panik (L) 2B

3. Buster Posey (R) C

4. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B

5. Hunter Pence (R) RF

6. Brandon Belt (L) 1B

7. Brandon Crawford (L) SS

8. Travis Ishikawa (L) LF

9. Tim Hudson (R) P
DJLoo said, on October 4, 2014 at 12:56 pm

Don’t know what to make of those KC Chiefs, Flav. I thought they would play well this past Monday but that performance was shocking. Good test for both squads…
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 12:57 pm

Even against a Lefty I don’t see them.changing …what are the choices? Crawford Belt Blanco Panik have all hit lefties well. Perez can’t hit so Ishi probably stays.
gianthead said, on October 4, 2014 at 1:07 pm

It is cool and windy here…Candlestick Weather…sign from the Gods???
Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 4:30 pm

I knew Zimmy would be tough, but yeeesh.
Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 4:31 pm

15 in a row set down by Zimm. After Posey hit that rocket to third, and having watched Rendon bounce balls through the infield for hits, this one started to have “that feel” to it that it’s not going to go our way.
Too bad, Huddy has been fantastic…..
Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 4:51 pm

ridiculous. Classic example of a game where the breaks don’t go your way.
wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:01 pm

Hell of an effort by Huddy…brutal he had to come out
willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:12 pm

Helluva game from Hudson, who gave LA all they could handle too.
Fully deserves to stay in rotation, playoffs and beyond.
wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:15 pm

guy gets on Posey will win for us with a homer!
- Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:21 pm
  
  Panik walk, so here we go.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:32 pm
  
  I was thinking same. He jumped all over that pitch though and got it done.
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:20 pm

tony frickin rendon.

Gotta go back to Pence in the leadoff. Blanco back to sucking.
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:21 pm

.take a walk baby
Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:22 pm

I don’t care what the outcome is here, I’ll take my chances with Zimmy out of there.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:26 pm

Yes! Posey! Keep the rumba line moving.
Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:27 pm

Pablo ties it!

And Posey — What the Fuck???
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:28 pm

Arrrrrgggggghhhhhhh! This slow WIFI is killing me. Only have Macdog’s post to go on. WTF did Posey do????
- blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:28 pm
  
  We tied?
  - Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:29 pm
    
    Yes, it’s 1-1 no matter what.
- Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:28 pm
  
  Tagged out at home, BUT, he might be safe on replay review. It’s verrrry close.
Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:30 pm

For Blade: Posey’s out. 1-1 going to bottom of 9th.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:30 pm

TYMD!!!!!! But wait, Panik run counts, right? Posey’s is under review?
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:31 pm

I guess you go for the win there but with Pence coming up I don’t think you send Posey in that spot.
- wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:32 pm
  
  of course you do…took two perfect relays
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:34 pm
    
    Which is why I said you go for it. I just disagree because Posey is so slow and Pence coming up.
willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:31 pm

That’s too bad, but still playing baseball.
And Zim is gone, finally.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:31 pm

OK, good deal. Sending awesome Karma from Asia. 🙂
wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:32 pm

whatever call the home plate ump makes…would not have been over ruled…was that close
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:33 pm

Agree that they wouldn’t overrule there. A little better slide might have done. That’s baseball eh? Get it to extras…
- zumiee said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:38 pm
  
  Posey couldn’t keep his foot from bouncing up unfortunately.
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:42 pm
    
    Yeah that was close. This game is wide open now.
willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:34 pm

And the price of Pablo might have just gone up.
I know he’s frustrating, but dang that was clutch AB off their closer.
zumiee said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:35 pm

On further review that was scary how Posey’s foot stuck in the ground on that slide.
willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:40 pm

Ramos might have done better without his bat.
Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:42 pm

Can’t believe Williams pulled Zim at 100 pitches. Half of playoff baseball is managing adrenaline. Why bring Storen in there? Dude has no playoff exp, I don’t care how well he’d been pitching. His heart was probably in his throat there
- willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:57 pm
  
  Win or lose that will get second guessed.
  Didn’t see, but doubt Zim pulled a Bum and said he wasn’t coming out/pen wasn’t gonna be needed.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:44 pm

Romo did well per GC feed.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:49 pm
  
  He did. Pitching with confidence. Making them chase.
  - blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:54 pm
    
    Cool. Thanks for the detail dirt 🙂
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 5:46 pm

Brandons for the win!
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:00 pm

Williams asking to get tossed there?
willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:00 pm

F-ing whiners! that pitch was way better than the other one which as graph showed was a strike.
Sit down and STFU.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:01 pm

Holy shit . . . I thought Cabrera was going to get a pass after JA threw 3 straight balls. Nice.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:02 pm
  
  Cabrera and Williams tossed for arguing strikes.
  - blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:03 pm
    
    Awesome. Grab some pine meat. Oh wait, get the f*ck off the field.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:02 pm

Again, thanks for the context/detail . . . I only know Cabrera struck out looking.
twinfan1 said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:03 pm

If we win this it’s all on Williams. Zimmerman wasn’t laboring at all.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:19 pm
  
  You think that was Williams managing from yesterday’s mistake sort of deal?
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:13 pm

Perez has to do something eventually right? A walk will do it. Now steal a base
willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:14 pm

Wow, guy can’t throw a strike to Perez. Giants are gonna get one of the guys.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:15 pm

Nice Gamecast double play Dot Panik to Dot Craw to Dot Belt. 🙂

Now Giants threatening again? Perez at 2nd . . . and
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:25 pm

Sit the f- down. Rendon has been a pain in the ass ..
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:26 pm

Glad to see Casilla SO the first batter (Rendon).
zumiee said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:28 pm

I think Williams was spooked by Panik’s long drive that went foul.
- salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:30 pm
  
  Good point
willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:30 pm

“I get their frustration…” so stop sniveling and swing the f-ing bat.

Another shut down inning, Casilla Affledt Romo look great.
Snarkk favorite bargain guy Lopez with the nice K too.
Giants might lose this game, but no one in Nat’s dugout is out managing Bochy.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:35 pm

Equally important Willie – if the Giants win this game (or even if they lose this game, but win the series), I suspect the media will point to Williams and Cabrera losing their cool and getting tossed as the underlying reason why the Nats are not ready for prime time. Conversely, the Giants just go about their business.
- zumiee said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:38 pm
  
  The Nats are fortunate that Harper didn’t get tossed, too. He was real mouthy to the homeplate ump.
- willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:39 pm
  
  Well, like Flav and Twin said, taking Zim out was asking for it. He owned SF all day and only needed 1 more out.
willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:37 pm

F-ing perfect AB from Belt. Nicely done!
wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:44 pm

Williams had it in his mind if 1 guy got on he was goin to the pen…also the 2/0 pitch that Panik just missed hitting it out when it hooked foul scared him..

If Bochy would have hit Susac instead of Duffy in the 9th he would have in the game and then he could have run for Posey…anyway…hindsight is always 20/20
- willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:48 pm
  
  Panik isn’t gonna beat you with the long ball. If Williams thought that he’s managing out of fear, not confidence in his SP, who had dominated all game.
  - wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:00 pm
    
    you misread what I said…and he did hit the long ball…except it was foul
  - willedav said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:23 pm
    
    I didn’t misread what you said. I can understand if Zim gave up a lead off hit, but not with 2 out and only runner on first. If Williams made up his mind to do that, he was wrong.
    Would you have done that to Bum?
  - wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:48 pm
    
    I’m not Williams, and I didn’t say I agreed with him…I just offered an explanation why…maybe he figured if Panik can turn on it, so could Posey, Maybe he didn’t want him to pitch that great and lose it on one swing. I would have left him in…but Zimm didn’t tell him to get out of here either did he?
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:55 pm

Nate….figures
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:55 pm

Frickin’ torture. Not certain if the game has already passed Ramos SO.
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:59 pm

Whew!
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 4, 2014 at 6:59 pm

That was huge Petit. Way to come through
Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:00 pm

I don’t think Petit had pitched in playoffs before, and it showed with that 4-pitch walk and Harper’s deep flyout. But he recovered nicely and on we go to the 13th.
wswins said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:01 pm

I wish I had more hands…I’ve run out of fingernails
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:17 pm

Grande Petit!
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:20 pm

Ought to be able to get these chumps now
Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:21 pm

Announcer on Posey: “A base hit and maybe more.” Uh, no.
Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:30 pm

All Posey needs is to get thrown out at 3rd for the hat trick.
Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:40 pm

YP is dealing now!
Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:43 pm

totally agree with Twin’s 6:03. I have no idea why Williams took out Zimm
- Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:49 pm
  
  I know I was damn glad to see Williams take Zimmermann out.
Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:44 pm

I love this move. Leave him in. Let’s play 20!
blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:47 pm

Going to take a shower . . . Expect a Giants win in the 17th when I get back. 🙂
- Macdog said, on October 4, 2014 at 7:50 pm
  
  Hot or cold shower?
  - blade3colorado said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:19 pm
    
    Got lucky MD – Hot. If this wasn’t the big metropolis of Ho Chi Minh city, it could have easily been cold (as it was on occasion in Boguete, Panama;Kathmandu, Nepal; and a couple of other 3rd world countries I’ve been to).
Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:00 pm

when I said I was stoked to spend the weekend on my couch watching sports I didn’t mean for this game to take me literally……
Flavor said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:02 pm

Perez is worthless.
- DJLoo said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:49 pm
  
  I could fix him in 10 minutes…
zumiee said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:13 pm

A guess on Williams’ mindset is that Panik’s almost-HR rattled him a bit. Zimmerman wanted no part of Panik after that and walked him. Posey and Sandoval were next in the order, and Williams may have figured Zimmerman had shot his wad.
WilcoJoe said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:16 pm

Unbelievable performance by Petit tonight.
salty said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:19 pm

Bochy gambled using Susac. How long can Posey c?
WilcoJoe said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:19 pm

This has to be the greatest amount of upsets ever on a college football Saturday.
- DJLoo said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:24 pm
  
  Do you know the origin of the term “upset”?
  - WilcoJoe said, on October 4, 2014 at 8:38 pm
    
    Giant killer?